Distributed Antenna Systems that use utility infrastructure to enable wireless voice and data communications may impact the utility company. How can a utility accommodate this new technology? How does a utility stay focused on its main mission to serve the power or fixed line telephone service needs of its customers? The Q&A below will help utilities understand the changing landscape. If questions remain, please send us an email.

There are several other web pages with more information in this topic including:
FCC Bulletin on Utility Pole Attachment
Regulatory Affairs Information
NextG Networks is a member of NCJPA, SCJPC, and NJUNS

Frequently Asked Questions from Utilities
Q. What safety codes does NextG comply with for its installations and site operations?
Q. What is so unique about the RF energy produced by NextG’s equipment?
Q. Why is NextG’s DAS solution so attractive to local authorities and their communities?
Q. To start the process, what does NextG submit and how long does a utility have to respond?
Q. What facilities does NextG need to install?
Q. Why does NextG have access to the utility poles to attach both its fiber optic lines and the associated wireless antennas and equipment?
Q. Who has jurisdiction over pole and conduit issues?
Q. How should utilities handle issues related to reserving space on a pole?
Q. How are access fees determined?
Q. What type of company is NextG Networks?
Q. What kind of service does NextG provide?

Q. What safety codes does NextG comply with for its installations and site operations?
A. NextG’s installations and site operations comply with all applicable regulations and safety codes, such as the National Electrical Safety Code. The company also works closely with all appropriate entities to ensure a safe installation and operating environment.
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Q. What is so unique about the RF energy produced by NextG’s equipment?
A. NextG's DAS sites produce RF energy at levels 50 - 100 times below the FCC's maximum allowances. In fact, these levels are so low that they don’t even meet the FCC’s minimum threshold that establishes the need for conducting routine RF energy testing. The FCC has exclusive jurisdiction over the regulation of RF energy.
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Q. Why is NextG’s DAS solution so attractive to local authorities and their communities?
A. NextG's facilities and services are less intrusive than traditional cell towers. Whereas wireless providers have typically relied on large towers or monopoles, NextG's service is based on discrete fiber optics and small, unobtrusive equipment located on existing utility and/or streetlight poles. In addition, NextG's solution allows wireless providers to rapidly improve their networks’ coverage, capacity and performance, which leads to new and/or enhanced service opportunities for consumers. Finally, NextG’s solution can accommodate multiple service providers, which helps drive more service choices and more competitive prices for consumers.
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Q. To start the process, what does NextG submit and how long does a utility have to respond?
A. NextG applies for the right to design, permit, build, operate and manage telecommunications system in the public right-of-way of the City, in compliance with the City's ordinances and permitting requirements. NextG typically submits a right-of-way use agreement that seeks:

In addition, NextG provides information related to the physical construction in, and occupation of, the public right-of-way. The FCC requires a utility to respond to NextG’s request within 45 days.
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Q. What facilities does NextG need to install?
A. NextG provides its service with a combination of fiber optic lines connected to a DAS site consisting of small wireless antennas, optical repeaters, and associated equipment. Thus, it must generally install a certain amount of fiber optic cable, either underground or on existing utility poles. In addition, NextG must install small wireless antennas and associated equipment on utility poles and/or streetlight poles, typically located in the public right-of-way. In areas where NextG needs to install its own utility poles, the company complies with local regulations governing such installations. When possible and appropriate, NextG may lease capacity on existing fiber optic facilities owned by the City or other providers, thus diminishing the physical impact of NextG's installation.
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Q. Why does NextG have access to the utility poles to attach both its fiber optic lines and the associated wireless antennas and equipment?
A. The Federal Pole Attachment Act requires utilities to provide telecommunications carriers, such as NextG, with nondiscriminatory access to any pole, duct, conduit, or right-of-way owned or controlled by it, other than interstate transmission facilities. This includes access to easements as well.
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Q. Who has jurisdiction over pole and conduit issues?
A. The Pole Attachment Act grants the FCC exclusive jurisdiction over pole and conduit access, however, it also allows individual states to take jurisdiction. There are currently thirteen states that have done this.
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Q. How should utilities handle issues related to reserving space on a pole?
A. Electric utilities may only reserve space on a pole in a development plan that projects a need for that space in the provision of core electric service. Electric utilities must still allow third parties to attach in reserved space until such time as it is actually needed by the utility for its core services. Telephone companies may not deny pole access based on a lack of capacity.
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Q. How are access fees determined?
A. The rates a utility can charge NextG for its attachments, both its fiber and the wireless antennas, are governed by the FCC’s pole and conduit rental formulas. Fees for access to easements are included in these formulas.
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Q. What type of company is NextG Networks?
A. NextG Networksis a next-generation communications company that provides managed RF transport and backhaul services to wireless communications carriers. The company is commonly known as a “carrier’s carrier” since it is not licensed to provide wireless services and does not control wireless spectrum, but rather provides services to the carrier community.. NextG's innovative and cost-effective RF-over-fiber transport solution enables wireless carriers to expand their coverage, capacity and performance throughout metropolitan regions and in dense urban and isolated suburban areas. NextG Networks is headquartered in San Jose, California, and operates wholly-owned regional subsidiaries throughout the United States. The company is certified to provide telecommunications services in every state it is active in.
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Q. What kind of service does NextG provide?
A. NextG provides telecommunications services—physical access, via radio frequency signals, to the wireless carriers’ licensed services. Specifically, it carries voice and data traffic handed off to it by wireless providers. It carries that traffic via its fiber optic lines from DAS equipment located on utility and/or streetlight poles to a central location where is it connected to the wireless service provider. The service providers support their customers using a range of frequencies, such as cellular, SMR, PCS, AWS, BRS and 700 MHz with a variety of technologies such as iDEN, CDMA, GSM, EV-DO, 1xRTT, LTE, and WiMAX.
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